Edmonton Meals on Wheels
Board of Directors
Meet Our Dedicated Board of Directors
At Edmonton Meals on Wheels, our commitment to community impact is led by a dynamic and passionate team of individuals who make up our esteemed Board of Directors. These visionary leaders play a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction, governance, and overall success of our organization.
Who We Are
Our Board is composed of diverse professionals, each bringing unique expertise, experience, and a shared dedication to the mission and values of our organization. With backgrounds spanning various industries and sectors, our directors collectively contribute to the strength and resilience of Edmonton Meals on Wheels.
Our Board of Directors speaks to our organization’s strategic vision and planning, governance oversight, financial stewardship, community engagement, advocacy and representation, and leadership guidance. The Board actively engages with the community, fostering relationships, partnerships, and collaborations, further showcasing Edmonton Meals on Wheels’ commitment to community well-being.
Get to Know Our Board
As champions of our mission, our Board members are not only leaders but also individuals deeply committed to making a positive difference in the lives of those we serve.
Meet the individuals guiding Edmonton Meals on Wheels, learn about their backgrounds, and discover the passion that drives them to contribute to our success. Together, we are a team dedicated to creating meaningful change and leaving a lasting impact on our community.
Sven Anders
Read Full Bio
Sven joined the Board of Edmonton Meals on Wheels in 2012 in memory of his late grandmother and out of his passion for food. As an agricultural economist at the University of Alberta, he studies food systems, supply chains, and the many facets of how consumers make decisions around food and nutrition. Being on the Board of EMOW allows him to share his insights and understanding of food marketing, and the difficult balance between high food costs and the delivery of exciting and nutritious meals to clients in communities throughout Edmonton and beyond. As a Board Member, Sven tries to help the organization master the many challenges a community-centered charitable organization like EMOW faces in fulfilling its mission.
Shelly Blackburn
Read Full Bio
Since 2021, Shelly has served as a Board Member at Edmonton Meals on Wheels. Throughout her nearly 20-year tenure at TELUS, she has primarily focused on privacy-related matters. Being a part of the EMOW Board is a source of great pride for Shelly, as it allows her to give back to an organization that provided support to a family member who benefited from their program. As a Board Member, she’s gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the food security challenges faced by many members of our community. Additionally, she provides guidance to ensure the privacy of our clients, staff, and volunteers.
Dan Campbell
Read Full Bio
Dan has served as Board Member for Edmonton Meals on Wheels since 2019. He brings with him over 20 years of varied experience in project management, stakeholder relations, community investment, and business development to the board. Dan has seen first-hand the impact that Edmonton Meals on Wheels has on our clients beyond nourishment. In his spare time, he enjoys running, cycling and curling.
Vince Campbell
Read Full Bio
Since retiring from his company Habitat Studio Ltd, Vince has continued to contribute to the community through his involvement in various charitable organizations including The Rotary Club of Edmonton, Strathcona. Vince continues to make a positive impact through his volunteer work with Edmonton Meals on Wheels as a Board Member and Casino Chair and delivering meals at least once a week. Vince has been a Director on the EMOW Board for eight years. Vince's legacy of giving back to the community has inspired his children, Sarah and Tristan, who have followed in his footsteps by serving their communities and pursuing careers in carpentry.
Linda Chow-Turner, Past President
Read Full Bio
Linda is honoured to have served on the Edmonton Meals on Wheels Board since 2007. She is currently the Past President after numerous terms as the President and the Vice President. With over 30 years as a healthcare leader in Alberta, Linda is a Senior Operating Officer at Covenant Health, one of Canada's largest Catholic health care organizations. Her strong background as a healthcare leader and Registered Dietitian allows her to apply her knowledge and skills to improve the quality of care and service for patients and residents across urban and rural, acute and continuing care and community settings. Linda joined the EMOW Board because she is passionate about seniors’ health and wellness and enabling strong and vibrant communities.
Rob Christie, Secretary
Read Full Bio
Rob first joined the Board of Edmonton Meals on Wheels in early 2007. Born and raised in Montreal and educated at McGill University, Rob embarked on a career in media as an on-air personality in radio & TV that took him across Canada hosting shows in Montreal, Sydney Nova Scotia, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. He joined the EMOW Board because he believes it provides our community with an essential service – one that touched him personally in the form of a relative who became a client of EMOW. He vividly remembers how her face would light up at the sight of the EMOW volunteer arriving at her door with her meals. EMOW not only provided her with food security but the social interaction with the volunteer did wonders for her mental health. As an EMOW Board Member he finds it very rewarding to work on exploring innovative ways of improving the quality of our products, the service, and the customer experience.
Reverdi Darda
Read Full Bio
Reverdi joined the Edmonton Meals on Wheels Board in 2019. She is the Founder and CEO of Cena Life, a mental health services company. As a registered nurse and certified healthcare executive, Reverdi became involved with EMOW to support and champion the organization's mission of increasing access to nutritious meals and better understanding the critical role nutrition plays in supporting an individual’s positive well-being. She firmly believes that local support for individuals' health and wellness is a critical factor in their ability to be actively involved and contribute to their community. Reverdi's greatest passion as a Board Member is being part of a vibrant community where she can both learn from others and contribute her skills and expertise to the organization's work. She finds it a privilege to collaborate with like-minded individuals who share a commitment to improving the health and well-being of their community through the valuable services that are provided by Edmonton Meals on Wheels.
Pam King-Jesso
Read Full Bio
Pam joined the Edmonton Meals on Wheels Board in 2022. Over the past 28 years, she has practiced in diverse roles within the healthcare, educational and regulatory sectors. Pam strongly aligns with the mission and vision of our vibrant and active organization, and decided to join the Board as a way to give back to her community. As a Board Member, she is inspired by all the staff and volunteers who work to provide great client experiences that impact our clients’ health, wellbeing, and independence.
Michael Kirk,
President and Board Chair
Read Full Bio
Michael joined the Board of Edmonton Meals on Wheels in 2015. Michael has been a lawyer for over 30 years and is currently a litigation partner with the Edmonton office of the national law firm Miller Thomson LLP. His legal background provides a unique viewpoint in working with his fellow Board Members in guiding EMOW. Michael first experienced the value of the Meals on Wheels program when his father was recovering from open heart surgery. Although it was in another city, he recognized the impact of nutritious meals on those in need and under care. As a Board Member, Michael strives to ensure that EMOW maintains its ability to deliver high-quality meals and services to our clients while also providing them with valuable social connection. For Michael, EMOW is an extremely rewarding organization on many levels, with a tremendous group of dedicated and caring staff and volunteers.
Pieter Lambooy
Read Full Bio
Pieter Lambooy is a Director of Operations with the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta. He has been a member of the Edmonton Meals on Wheels Board since the beginning of 2017. Pieter brings his expertise on governance, policy and corporate strategy to the variety of skills the EMOW Board has and looks forward to continuing in his service to this most important community agency.
Amy Oygen, Vice President
Read Full Bio
Amy is a proud member of the Edmonton Meals on Wheels Board of Directors. Amy works as Corporate Counsel for Stantec where she handles a variety of legal matters. Prior to joining Stantec, Amy worked for an international law firm. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Amy is a proud Edmontonian, born and raised, and in her free time enjoys travelling, dining out, reading, cycling and spending time with her young family.
Glenn Quinn
Read Full Bio
Glenn is an Edmonton entrepreneur with a long history in the hospitality industry and as an advocate for supporting Alberta farmers and growers. He owns multiple award-winning restaurant Tzin Wine and Tapas with his wife Kelsey. Glenn is proud to call Edmonton home and appreciates our city’s efforts to support the most vulnerable in our neighbourhoods. Prior to joining the Board, Glenn volunteered in the EMOW kitchen. This experience of being around all things Edmonton Meals on Wheels ignited a passion for this amazing organization.
Shannon Troke, Treasurer
Read Full Bio
Shannon has been Treasurer of Edmonton Meals on Wheels since 2018. He is a partner with King & Company Chartered Professional Accountants. In addition to volunteering with EMOW, Shannon is also the Treasurer of the Edmonton Intercultural Centre and Treasurer of the Gateway Rotary Club of Edmonton. When Shannon isn’t working and volunteering, he enjoys cycling, tennis, badminton and spending time with his family.
As we continue our journey, we express our deepest gratitude to our Board of Directors for their unwavering dedication, leadership, and tireless efforts in making Edmonton Meals on Wheels a force for good. Are you interested in joining our board? Reach out!